rjg117 Posted October 26, 2015 Report Share Posted October 26, 2015 Hi guys, New to this forum so my apologies if I'm posting in the wrong area... I'm looking for some advice if anyone could help I recently decided to start up a planted tank. I've had plants in the past but never seriously focused on them, but this time around I'm "trying" to do things right. I bought a Co2 kit and hooked it up to a solenoid, and I put it on a timer with the light for 7.5hrs a day. The problem however is that I can't seem to get the solenoid to work. From what I understand I'm supposed to be able to leave the Co2 turned on, and the solenoid is supposed to prevent it entering the tank when the power is switched off The problem is that the pressure builds up in the pipes when the power is switched off, and it either pops off a bit and leaks, or the pipe itself expands heaps until it pops. Not sure what I can do Any advice would be appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wogboy Posted October 26, 2015 Report Share Posted October 26, 2015 Sounds like the pressure is to great for your pipe work or for the fittings, the pipe work may be ok if open and bubbling, but a closed solenoid will have the same pressure as the co2 tank or the regulator pressure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjg117 Posted October 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2015 Is there anything I can do to solve it? Is there some kind of special tubing I can buy that would with stand the pressure? When I turn the pressure down, when the solenoid is on, its already on a pretty low setting :/ about 1 bubble per second Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smicko Posted October 26, 2015 Report Share Posted October 26, 2015 You may need to buy a regulator with solenoid attached. You can buy c02 tubing buts only to run from the solenoid to the tank. I don't think you will find piping that will handle the same amount of pressure as a bottle. Cheers mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grubs Posted October 26, 2015 Report Share Posted October 26, 2015 The problem is that the pressure builds up in the pipes when the power is switched off, and it either pops off a bit and leaks, or the pipe itself expands heaps until it pops. Not sure what I can do Any advice would be appreciated You must use CO2 line, not standard soft silicon or vinyl air hose. The problem with air hose is its too soft and too thin so the clamping rings on the CO2 gear don't grip it and it just pops off under pressure. It is also very permeable to CO2. CO2 line is more rigid and can withstand the 3bar (30psi) pressure downstream of the regulator. CO2 line can be bought from most aquariums or online very cheaply. You are correct - you can leave the reg on and use the solenoid on a timer to let the gas flow each day. The CO2 line holds the pressure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjg117 Posted October 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2015 Okay so I just need to buy a special type of airline made for Co2 instead of the standard stuff? That is awesome, thank you - I was hoping it would be something as simple as this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
